Telegraphic instrument.



I. J. GHEGAN. TELEGRAPHIC INSTRUMENT. APPLICATION man APR. 25. 191

'- Paten ted May 18, 1915.

qwi-tmoooco UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN J. GHEGAN. OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

' TELEGRAPHIG INSTRUMENT.

. graphic instruments, and particularly to a transmitter of the type inwhich certain of the usual transmitting signals are automatically madeby a vibrator set in motion by the operator.

The object of my-invention is to provide an instrument of this typewhich combines simplicity of construction, ease of manipulation andefficiency of operation.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a partially broken plan viewof a tele-' graph key in which my invention'is embodied in an exemplaryform; Fig. 2 is a. perspective of the same, partially broken away; Fig.3 is a cross section through a detail; and Fig. 4 is a diagram on smallscale showing the electrical connections between certain of the parts.

7 In the construction here illustrated for the purpose of explaining thepresent in- 80 ventlon, the apparatus is mounted upon a metal plate 5carried by a base 6 of any suitable shape or material.

Binding posts 7 and 8 for the circuit wires 0. and b are mounted uponthe plate 5, that numbered 8 being insulated therefrom by suitablebushing and washer 9. Transmitter terminal posts 10 and 11 are alsomounted on the plate 5 and are insulated therefrom by their respectivebushings and washers 12 and 13, while being connected together and tothe wire terminal 8 by conducting wires or straps 14, 15, arranged belowthe plate for the sake of convenience and appearances. The circuitbetween wire termlnal 7 and wire terminal 8 is completed through theconductors 14, 15', either by the switch 16 or the transmittmg key orvibrator 17. The switch 16 is pivoted at 18 on the plate 5 and may beswung under the sprin strap 19 on the terminal 11, thus shortclrcuitmgthe vibrator 17 and rendering the instrument inoperative fortransmitting 'purposes. This is the usual position of the switch whenthe instrument is not in use. When it is desired to transmit, the switchis swung open against the stop 20 in which Specification of was mat.

Patented May 1s 1915.

App1ication'fi1edApri125, 1913. Serial in. 763,605.

position the circuit through the instrument is open. The transmitter keyor vibrator 1'7 may then be put into operation to intermittently closethe circuit in the transmission of signalssuch for instance as the usualdots and dashes of the Morse code. The peculiar constructipn of thepresent vibrator facilitates this operation. I

As here shown, the vibrator comprises a long strip of spring steelextending hori- 'zontally substantially the length of the plate 5 andheld in edgewise vertical position in the slotted frame 36 by theclamping screw 21. At its other and free end it carries a weight 22,preferably fixed rigidly and permanently in position thereon. As hereshown the weight 22 is slotted and the free end of the vibrator insertedin the slot, the parts being soldered, swaged, riveted or otherwisepermanently united. Platinum I contacts 23 are here shown fixed in thevibrator web at the point which lies between the transmitter terminalscrews 24, 25, each provided with a platinum terminal pin 26 adapted tocooperate with the contacts 23 on the vibrator. In the normal positionof rest, the vibrator is out of contact with both terminals 24 and 25,while it is, at the same time, subjected to the action of a spring 27carried by the screw 28 which is adjustably mounted in the post 29 sothat the tension of the spring may be varied. In this position thevibrator is slightly flexed so that its weight 22 is pressed against theadjustable stop screw 30 carried by the post 31. A cork plug 32 insertedin the side of the weight 22 bears against the ,end of the stop screwand serves to deaden the stroke of the vibrator against the stop underthe influence of the spring 27.

To operate the vibrator I provide an operating lever 33, pivoted by apin 34 in the socketed bearing screws 35, in the frame. 36, and having athumb piece 37 of insulating material on one end. The other end of thelever 33 which extends inthe same general direction as the vibrator, isupturned to form a lug 38, the screw 39 on which clamps one end of thespring 27 while its shank bears against the sideof-the vibrator underthe influence of the spring. In the position of rest shown in Fig. 1,the vibrator is slightly flexed by the spring 27 and the platinumcontacts 23 are both out of contact 110 with the platinum pins 26 on thetrans mitter terminal screws 24, 25.

4 described, comprising a stationary frame,'a

On the sending of a'message the circuit is first opened by swinging theswitch 16 back against the stop 20. The operating lever is then swung onits pivot either to the one side or the other depending upon whether adot or a dash is to be transmitted.

thus completed from the wire terminal 7 through the plate 5, vibrator17, contact 24 and connectors Hand 15 to the wire terminal 8. Thecircuit is maintained sufficiently long to register the desiredprolonged signal, such as the Morse dash.

To transmit a series of short signals, such as Morse dots,'the operatinglever is moved in the opposite direction sufficiently to free thevibrator, with the result that under the influence of the tension towhich it has been subjected by the pressure of the spring 27 or theoperating lever 33, it is set into vibration. Its vibratory motion is ofsuificient extent to bring the contact 23 into intermittent momentaryelectrical connection with the transmitter contact 25, and the series ofmomentary completions of the'circuit which are thereby caused,reifectsthe transmission of the dot signal.

The construction shown is to be regarded merely as an exemplification ofmy invention which may be variously modified without departing frommyinventiofi'.

I claim as my invention 1. A telegraphic instrument of the type flexiblevibrator rigidly secured at one end therein, a pair of transmitterterminals afranged on opposite sides of said vibrator and a pivot leverfor deflecting said vibrator into contact with one of said terminals forsignals of prolonged duration.

2. A telegraphic instrument of the type described, comprising a flexiblevibrator, a pair of transmitter terminals arranged on opposite sidesthereof and a lever for deflecting said vibrator into contact with oneof said terminals for signals of prolonged duration, in combination witha spring normally flexing said vibrator and means in connection withsaid lever for. freeing the vibrator from the action of said spring topermit said vibrator to automatically contact intermittently with theother transmitter terminal, for the purpose specified.

3. A telegraphic instrument of the type described havinga flexiblevibrator, comprising a strip of flexible metal, a weight permanentlyfixed at one end thereof and a stationary frame in which the other endof said strip is clamped together with independent terminals arranged onopposite sides of said vibrator and. means for bringing the dash signalsand into intermittent contact with the other to effect dot signals,substantially as described.

4:. A telegraphic instrument of the type described, comprising a frame,a flexible vibrator mounted therein, a pivoted lever, a springmaintaining said lever in contact with said vibrator,- a contactadjacent the latter and a handle on said lever for moving the same inthe direction of-the efiort of said spring to deflect the vibratoragainst said contact.

5. A telegraphic instrument of the type described, comprising a frame, aflexible vibrator mounted therein, a pivoted lever, a spring maintainingsaid lever in contact with said vibrator, a contact adjacent the latterand a handle on said lever for moving the same in the direction of theeifort of said spring to deflect the vibrator against said contact, aswitch terminal in electrical connection with said contact and a pivotedswitch bar for closing the transmitter circuit through said terminal andvibrator, substantially as described.

6. A telegraphic instrument of the type described, comprising a flexiblevibrator, a stop therefor, a spring normally flexing the vibratoragainst said stop, a transmitter terminal normally out of contact withsaid vibrator, and an operating lever adapted to further flex saidvibrator, while engaged by said stop, to press the same against saitransmitter contact,for the purpose specified.

7. A telegraphic instrument of the type described, comprising a flexiblevibrator, a

name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses.

' JOHN J. GHEGAN.

Witnesses:

WALTER Anna, L'H. GRoTE.

' latter in continued contact with one to effect

